Caesar Pasta Salad is summertime gold! It’s got all the creamy, tangy Caesar elements you’re craving tossed with tender pasta and crunchy croutons. Add some chicken in the mix and you’ve got yourself a filling, fresh, unforgettably good pasta salad!
Caesar Pasta Salad
What if you took everything you love about classic caesar salad and turned it into a pasta salad? I can tell you exactly what happens… You end up discovering your new favorite summer staple! Complete with a creamy homemade caesar dressing, this pasta salad is ridiculously good. It’s also crazy easy to make in about 15 minutes! Oh, and the dressing can be kept in the fridge for up to 10 days by itself, simplifying the process even more. This pasta salad is perfect for potlucks, picnics, or just those nights when you want something cold and flavorful on your dinner plate.
Calling all pasta salad lovers! Get your fix with more easy recipes like broccoli blt tortellini salad, cashew chicken pasta salad, and roasted asparagus pasta salad!
Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes, but for the best texture, toss the cooled pasta with the dressing ahead of time and wait to add the romaine, parmesan, croutons, and chicken until closer to serving. Also, keep in mind that the dressing stays good in the fridge for up to 10 days, so it’s really best to just make that ahead of time!
How to Make Caesar Pasta Salad
- Cook the pasta. Cook the pasta according to package directions. I recommend salting the water for a little extra flavor.
- Drain it. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water for a couple of minutes until completely cool. Do NOT skip rinsing the pasta!
- Toss it all together! Add the cooled pasta to a bowl and toss with the romaine, dressing, parmesan cheese, and half of the croutons as well as the chicken if using.
- Top it off. If desired, crush the other half of the croutons and sprinkle over the top of the salad.
Storing
This is the kind of pasta salad that’s best enjoyed when it’s first tossed together. The lettuce and croutons will soften the longer it sits.
Ingredient Notes
- Pasta – A short-form pasta like rotini or bowties are my favorite! Those shapes hold onto the creamy caesar dressing so every bite is flavorful, and they fit nicely on your fork with the other ingredients.
- Romaine – Don’t swap this with any other salad green. For it to be a true caesar recipe, you need crunchy romaine lettuce.
- Caesar Dressing – My homemade recipe is hands-down my favorite! In a pinch, though, you can certainly use your favorite store-bought bottle.
- Parmesan Cheese – Freshly grated parmesan is the way to go for the very best flavor and texture.
- Croutons – Don’t add these until you’re for sure ready to serve the pasta salad. They can get soft quickly once tossed with the dressing.
- Chicken – This is an optional ingredient if you want to bulk it up a little bit! I like keeping some crockpot shredded chicken in the fridge just for recipes like this one.
Enjoy!
~Nichole
Caesar Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 16 Ounces Short Cut Pasta**SEE NOTE BELOW
- 5 Cups Chopped Romaine
- 2 Cups Caesar Dressing
- 1/2 Cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese
- 2 Cups Croutons Divided
- 2-3 Cups Cooked Shredded Chicken OPTIONAL
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions in a large pot of salted boiling water.
- Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water for a couple of minutes until completely cool.
- Add the cooled pasta to a large bowl and toss with the romaine, dressing, parmesan cheese, and half of the croutons as well as the chicken if using.
- If desired, crush the other half of the croutons and sprinkle over the top of the salad.
- *Croutons are best added no more than 1 hour before serving if you want them to stay crunchy.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I just made this for my daughter’s baby shower. Everyone loved it. Thank you so much!